Match report: Clubs v Jaguars 1

We played Jaguars on Tuesday. We were missing the Bennetts who are selfishly on holiday and that was a bit of a throw off. But we had Gemma return to shooting (nice to see you again 😉) and Chiara really kindly played up for us. This did mean that we were slightly disjointed. This wasn’t helped by the torrential rain which made the ball impossible to catch (I’m sure the ball slipped through my hands hit my face more than I actually caught it). Luckily we had no injuries 😮‍💨

In short (because we don’t like to labour on the losses), we played a good game, we kept our pace but unfortunately whatever we did was no match for the incredible shooters that the opposition had. I mean it was ridiculous. The GS could have been blindfolded and still have got the ball in the net.

Anywaaaaay well done team, everyone played really well. Shout out to Chiara for playing up for us, thank you so much, you played brilliantly 🙏🏼 And 👏🏼 for me for winning player 😂

♣️ 30 – 45 🐆

Written by Ellie- Player

Last game for Hearts and a win against CBH 44-40!

A bit of a soggy game but fun none the less! Lots of adaptations made to slow the game down but defence were tight and lots of tips helped to secure the win!

Shooting rotation was great and a strong play through mid court too! Thanks to Leah for playing up and for Molly’s hard work out of position in the defensive circle too!

One thing to work on for us is space awareness at the moment and trying to get the ball off the sidelines as we can get stuck there a little👍

A few weeks break now before it all begins again for Winter season🙌

Written by Lauren – Captain

Aces vs Black Horse –

Yet again, another beautifully played game from Aces😍

Our shooters showed us communication is key, allowing us to take lead in the first quarter! As always, great balls into the D from Izzy, Chloe & Grace. With some lovely passes from Eliza as C straight into our shooters! Defence was superb (if i do say so myself 🤭). My fellow defenders consistently stuck to their players and reading off one another to pick up the interceptions. With Black horse becoming a bit boisterous 😬at times Katie, Pippa and Eliza all kept their cool and composure. Great balls from both Iz & Eliza on those centre passes enabling our shooters to do what they do best 🤩 Our centre girls played the ball down into attack beautifully! It’s evident Aces are very good at keeping possession (playing catch) but this works in our favour as it slows and controls the game.

Massive thank you to Eliza for playing up for us today! Exceptional play as always😙

Players of the match were awarded to the defensive dream team! Myself as Players Player & Captains Player to Katie Brown 🤭

Final score:
30-23 💖

Written by Leah – GK

Match Report from Monday 15th July Queens vs BDR 📝

There’s a theme emerging here… ☔️

In a break from the torrential rain, Queens took on BDR in their final match of the season.

It was destined to be a great game from the beginning and the first quarter saw both teams fighting hard for every point, despite the slippery conditions.

Sharp shooting and great work around the D from our amazing Gemma, Hayley, Frankie and Amy saw our score climb steadily upwards… And their coordination with Soph’s amazing centre work never missed a beat. 💛

Coupled with tip top defence from Leanne, Lucinda and Debbie, the Queens always stayed one step ahead of BDR. 💛

With great movement around the court, plenty of energy and laughter, it’s no surprise that Queens took the win at 19-18 🎉

What a way to end the season!

It’s been a fantastic Summer and it’s been lovely to see our team flourish and bloom into the amazing squad it is today💛

Here’s to the Queens for many more seasons to come!! 🥂

Players Player – Lucinda (GK/GD)
Captains Player – Leanne (GD/GK)

Hearts win 45-44 against Warwickshire warriors!

A game that showed Hearts keep their cool and not let the pressure of the game change their play too much. They were trailing behind Warriors for all quarters until about the last 8 minutes. We constantly reminded ourselves to play our own game and take a second before making a pass to ensure it was the right one. This coupled with a good number of turnovers in the defensive end secured us the win over Warriors in a very physical and tension filled game! Player went to Nat who keeps the team spirit high and encouraged good movement on court to present for the ball, leading by example as always.

Written by Lauren – Captain

Hearts lose 46-92 to Blackbird Majors.

The goal for this game was to get within half of Majors and we saw to it! Majors have the ability to run away with game sometimes but Hearts made them work for every goal, maximising on turnovers and attacking circle rotation at some of the best it’s been all season! We slowed down when we needed to and used the whole court to our advantage having to work through their very well practised zone defense. A great win in our eyes getting half! Player went to Liv for her great vision of the game and movement within the shooting D.

Written by Lauren – Captain

Hearts lose 41-44 to panthers 1.

Hearts used this match to deploy a new defensive technique with flooding the centre third with positional zoning. This was very effective and slowed down Panthers’ play despite being slightly more hard work. Never the less they persevered for the whole game and got within 5 to secure an extra point! A team talk after helped us to decide to manage zoning play depending on the opposition and switch up between man marking and zoning to keep the opposition on their toes. Thanks to Emily Grainger who stepped in the circle defence, got stuck in with zoning and had arms everywhere! A great game with great team progress! Player went to Lauren 👍

Written by Lauren – Captain

MATCH REPORT
Aces vs OB bullets
43 – 30

What a game aces had tonight it can only be described at WOW…..🤩

In my personal opinion I think it was one of the best games we’ve played every player gelled and all dynamics worked today we really came through as a team!

Our attacking combos consisting on Gemma and grace communicating well with one another to lead us ahead in the first Q with some great balls into the D from Izzy and Chloe. Overheads where very sparse due to tall defenders which made for great movement around the D. Into the second Q Chloe H was thrown into the mix helping defend through centre court and by waving our hands like we just don’t care!!! And dropping back to pick up players. Q 3 & 4 saw us switch our shooting combo around to Chloe and Gemma again great moment around the D to create space for one another. Shooting was on point today from all three girlies! And support around the D from Chloe H and Izzy and Grace was always ball side. Some lovely quick passes from Grace Taylor as WA straight into her shooters!

Our Defense was insane today with Leah WoodLeah Wood being awarded captains player, the girls stuck to their players like glue today reading off one another to pick up each other players blocking out with their bodies. It got a bit scrappy at times but Leah, Katie, Pippa and Grace C kept their heads and composure. All four girls were tipping and following the ball and springing out from behind their players to gain the awesome intercepts. We always love abit of hand holding from Katie and Leah as well 🤪. Pressure from Katie, Grace C and Pippa on those centre passes causing OB to pass back their ball which made for some good marking again always our hands in the air forcing those balls over and gaining possession. Defence read the game very well today. Defence played the ball down into attack beautifully today playing through our position speeding up at times but gaining composure and keeping passes nice and simple.

Our positivity princess Izzy as Centre today always cheering her team on. First time balls on the centre pass and following through for the second pass! Some amazing intercepts as she flys through the air. Great on the defence back line passes coming forward to assist and being ball side around the D for the shooters. ✨

Player of the match was awarded to Chloe Evans.

Written by Chloe – Player

Match Report – Diamonds, 11/07

Tonight Diamonds played Jaguar 2, a tough game but with a great outcome!!

Quarter 1 was slow for diamonds and saw Jaguars take a fast lead.
Quarter 2 remained tough, but diamonds began to use some slick passing, throughout the court with some great feeds into the ‘D’ from the centre court players. Despite this effort, Diamonds remained behind with the score being 18-15 to Jaguars.
Within Quarter 3, all of the Diamonds made space for one another and drove into the correct position allowing some great play! This meant Diamonds took lead of the match with a 26-21 score.
Quarter 4 saw some insane interceptions from defence, some great play through the court, fab feeds and lovely shots.
This gave Diamonds a win of 36-31!!

For her incredible interceptions and great performance throughout, player of the match was awarded to Lydia!
Well done everyone♦️

Written by Chloe – Captain